My Journey from a Thrift Store Worker to a Canadian College Professor
When I moved to Canada in 2016, I didn’t come with much education like many immigrants from Nigeria. I dropped out of a Nigerian university in 2002. However, I had a lot of training and work experience in the Nigerian private schools and non-profit sector.
In 2017, while working in a Thrift store, I felt I could do more, so I challenged myself to return to school. As I returned to the classroom to study Early Childhood Education (ECE), I became interested in post-secondary teaching. I was a dedicated student. I volunteered myself to lead several group presentations in class. I gained so much knowledge from all my professors, and listening to their stories of becoming professors was always my class highlight. They all had beautiful stories of resilience, clarity of purpose, and commitment to their work.
As a student, I worked as a Tutor at the Learning Centre. I supported ECE diploma and Bachelor of Child Development students in courses they needed help with. I also became a Student Mentoring in Life and Education (SMILE) mentor for new students and led weekly drop-ins to support International ECE students on campus. I won several bursaries and scholarships based on excellent academic achievements and the support services offered to students on campus and within my community.
I later went to pursue a master’s in Child and Youth Care (CYC) and got a Graduate Teaching Assistant role in the program. Supporting university professors in teaching and grading assignments and completing the Graduate Teaching Development (Teaching Foundations) program expanded my knowledge about Adult Teaching and Learning. My desire to become a professor increased.
It’s been seven years since I left my job at the Thrift Store to follow my interests and passion in Education, Non-profit, and Community Development work, and the growth has been phenomenal.
A few days ago, I signed a part-time contract for a college Professor position in Early Childhood Education, and I am so joyful. Feel free to call me Professor Adebola Adefioye.
Be reminded that your dreams are valid, but it is not enough to have big dreams; we all need: Clarity, Strategy, Action, Support systems, and the Courage to try again if things don’t go as planned.
I am still on my journey of learning, unlearning and commitment to personal and professional development❤️.
Adebola Adefioye
Coach | Speaker | Trainer